I have the most empty of feelings today and quite frankly I didn’t allow myself to think about the 2010 football season ending like it just did.
But indeed the gear is headed for equipment room storage in confines that no longer will be occupied by legendary Steve Hackney, who is retiring, and 15 seniors will no longer don any color of Montana Grizzly uniform.
And maybe it is fitting that they were wearing black when Montana lost at Washington Grizzly Stadium for just the 21st time since 1986 and for the first time since the last game of 2007.
The season comes crashing to a close before the largest crowd in UM history and as it was unfolding – even right down to the Hail Mary pass at the game’s conclusion – I just figured the Griz Gods headed by our great friend John Hoyt, whom the field is named after, would will the “good guys” to victory.
But think about what this football program has accomplished and take nothing away from these players and coaches.
You just can’t win every game or every title or continue an incredible post-season playoff run. It has to end before another skein can begin.
And while the season’s conclusion leaves a bitter taste mostly because of how suddenly it came to conclusion, I feel worse about the scheduling of today’s football banquet, which I have always disagreed with holding the day after the Bobcat game and for every previous year before the season has been completed.
Scott Gurnsey and I talked this morning about not being able to say our good byes to the seniors, which will annually do in the post-game show after the seaon is completed.
That will have to wait for Tuesday’s radio show at Paradise Falls.
There are those who believe you should just keep winning, no matter the odds, the depth, the personnel, the injuries, and sometimes it just is not possible.
To get to the last play against the co-league champion with a chance to prevail and play spoiler, given the amount of mistakes with the football is truly remarkable and a tribute not just to the players, but to everyone involved with Grizzly football.
Quite frankly to beat your cross-state rival 21 of the last 24 years is in itself remarkable.
So congratulations to Montana State and Eastern Washington as co-league champs who should carry the conference banner representing the Big Sky Conference well.
Congrats also to the record crowd of better than 26,000 who braved the elements to will the Grizzlies to victory right down to the last second of play.
And congratulations to every element of Grizzly football who make the ride so incredibly enduring and enjoyable.
And to the warriors of 2010 football, a hearty thanks for the memories.
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